Point-of-sale specialist acquired by VC
Article Date: Aug 16 2007Venture capitalist Amin Amiri Enterprises (AAE) has acquired Walkers Mcr, a Manchester-based provider of point-of-sale printed products, for £5 million. The buy-out was backed by debt provided by asset-based lender Venture Structured Finance.
The company’s current management team will continue to lead the business following the deal, which provides an exit for members of the Walker family.
Strategic and financial advice throughout the buy-out was provided by a2e Venture Catalysts, whose founder and MD Amin Amiri also owns the acquirer AAE.
Amiri comments: ‘We were attracted to [Walkers’] growth and profit profile, bolstered by our strategic input and the strength of the management team.
‘We provided equity finance through AAE and were keen to incorporate an element of asset-based lending, as this would provide the Walkers team with breathing space to implement operational changes following the deal.’
Venture Structured Finance’s debt funding is secured partly against the acquired company’s unpaid invoices, and partly against its hard assets (including property, plant and machinery). The facility also includes an element of unsecured cash flow lending.
Walkers Mcr designs, manufactures and implements point-of-sale material for high-street retailers, brand owners and agencies in the UK.
